Washington shooting: Gunman dies after hour-long standoff with police; one killed, four injured

The gunman who killed one person and injured four others in a shooting in Washington DC’s Logan Circle neighbourhood died after apparently shooting himself inside a barricaded apartment following an hour-long standoff with police, CNN reported, citing officials.

The shooting took place on Thursday morning (local time) on 15th Street NW. The suspect first opened fire inside a VIDA Fitness gym before leaving the premises and continuing to shoot outside, including into a parking garage, according to CNN, which cited multiple law enforcement sources.

Police negotiators tried to communicate with the armed suspect for about an hour before officers heard a gunshot from inside the apartment. Police then forced their way in and found him with a gunshot wound.

“Just moments ago, while communicating with that individual, officers heard a gunshot. As a response to that, officers forced entry into the apartment. When they did that, they located the suspect suffering from a gunshot wound,” Jeff Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, told reporters, according to CNN.

Carroll said the suspect had also fired at officers during the standoff.

“He did fire through the door at officers at least on two occasions,” he said.

Police said the suspect apparently shot himself but declined to provide further details.

One person was found dead at the scene, while four others were taken to local hospitals. One of the injured victims was in critical condition, while the other three had injuries that appeared to be non-life-threatening, police said.

“We have located a total of four individuals that were shot here on the scene and transported, and one individual who was deceased here on the scene,” Carroll said.

“There is one person that was shot and deceased inside a gym,” he added.

Schools placed under alert, heavy police presence in area

Following the shooting, Washington's public alert system, AlertDC, issued a lookout for the suspect, describing him as a “white male, heavy-built, wearing grey shorts with a grey and black gun”.

The VIDA Fitness branch in Logan Circle was temporarily closed following the incident. Company president Aaron Moore informed members by email that the facility would remain shut until further notice.

“The safety and well-being of our members, guests, and team are our highest priorities. We ask that you avoid travelling to the Logan Circle location and surrounding area until further notice. If you are currently in the vicinity, please follow all instructions from local law enforcement,” Moore said.

A large number of law enforcement personnel were deployed in the neighbourhood, with the US Park Service, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and US Marshals Service assisting the Metropolitan Police Department. Officers also cleared the building where the shooting took place and a nearby apartment building, CNN reported.

Several schools in the area were placed under alert status as authorities responded to the incident.

DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto said in a post on X that DC Public Schools (DCPS) had been in touch with schools and parents to ensure the safety of students and staff.

“DCPS has been in contact with schools and parents to keep our students, teachers and staff safe. Several schools around the area of this morning’s shooting in Logan Circle are locked down,” she said.

DCPS said the Metropolitan Police Department had advised it to place 11 schools under alert status, meaning no one would be allowed to enter or leave the buildings while the safety response continued.

“In coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department, DCPS has been advised to place the following schools under alert status as public safety teams continue responding to the incident near Logan Circle. The safety of our school communities is paramount. During alert status, entering or exiting the building is not permitted. We will continue communicating with families via text throughout the day as that is updated,” the school system said.

The schools placed under alert included Bancroft Elementary School, Banneker High School, Brent Elementary School at Meyer, Cardozo Education Campus, Garnet-Patterson STAY, Garrison Elementary School, John Lewis Elementary School, Marie Reed Elementary School, Oyster-Adams Bilingual School's Adams campus, Ross Elementary School and Thomson Elementary School.

White House briefed on shooting

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed that the White House had been informed about the shooting.

“The White House has been briefed, as is my process, yes,” Bowser told reporters, according to CNN.

She also clarified her remarks about President Donald Trump's role in reducing crime in the city, saying: “Actually, I praised MPD for bringing down crime in this city and I praise our prosecutors.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson said First Lady Melania Trump's travel was slightly delayed on Thursday morning (local time) following the initial reports of the shooting.

Her motorcade left the White House at 8:22 am for Joint Base Andrews. She was scheduled to travel to Fort Rucker, Alabama, with Second Lady Usha Vance to meet military families and elementary school students ahead of Thanksgiving.

(With ANI inputs)